If you let your golf cart’s battery run to far down you can damage it beyond recovery, but there’s one procedure you should try before discarding the battery.
If your cart is set up with the standard package, you probably have a six volt lead acid battery. When this type of battery is run down too low, it creates a condition called sulfation.
Before you do anything with the battery, you will want to remove it from the cart. Always wear goggles and protective gloves when you’re working with batteries, especially batteries in this condition. A simple crescent wrench will remove the cables.
Next you will want to prepare a solution of four ounces of Epsom salts to every one quart of water, use warm distilled water to speed the process, never use tap water as it can damage your battery. Once you have the solution prepared, remove the cell caps from the battery and drain the water from it. Use a funnel and fill the empty cells with the Epsom salt solution, shake the battery carefully to evenly distribute it.
Next you will need to recharge the battery using a three stage lead acid battery charger. The charger needs to be off before you connect it to the battery. Once the charger is connected, turn it on and leave it on overnight. The charger will switch to a trickle charge when done.
The next morning, turn the charger off and unhook it, reinstall your battery and tighten the battery cables. You will need to follow this procedure a couple more times over the following week in order to fully rehabilitate the battery.
Mark